Winners:
Azumarill by
Monkey Smurf ~ Exca is a big issue for the core. From my experience, Zard-X can also end up really threatening for the teams with this core. Azu helps with both of these issues by serving as a nice check to Exca, Zard-X, and other threats like Weav. Aside from this, Azu fits the offensive nature of the core well, taking advantage of the free switch in opportunities the core provides to come in and punch holes with its powerful STAB combo. Azu is a good candidate to threaten the bulky grounds Mega Manec has issues with, and appreciates having its problems with Pokemon like Amoonguss and Mega Sciz covered by the core.
Breloom by
-Magic- ~ Another big issue for the core is SD Bisharp. Loom provides a nice offensive check to Bisharp while also helping versus other threats like Exca thanks to Mach Punch. Another large contribution by Breloom is its ability to threaten Gastro, who shuts the core down entirely. It's also able to threaten other grounds like Hippo and Quag to help Mega Manec, and appreciates having its problems with Pokemon like Mega Venu covered by Torn-T. Loom works well offensively with the core overall and maintains the heavy pressure Torn-T + Mega Manec can apply on teams.
Scizor by
Recreant ~ For the final top partner, I looked for something able to help the core deal with some other notable issues, such as: Kyu-B, Clef, Mega Latias, and Mamo. Sciz checks all of these threats well and adds another U-turner to keep the core's momentum up. Being able to check other Pokemon like Weavile and Mega Diancie is also useful given Torn-T's vulnerability to them.
There's a few people really close to entering the Hall of Fame, let's see if they do after we're done with this new core:
Charizard @ Charizardite X
Ability: Tough Claws
EVs: 252 Atk / 4 Def / 252 Spe
Jolly Nature
- Dragon Dance
- Flare Blitz
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
Starmie @ Life Orb
Ability: Analytic
EVs: 252 SpA / 4 SpD / 252 Spe
Timid Nature
- Rapid Spin
- Hydro Pump
- Psychic / Thunderbolt
- Ice Beam / Hidden Power Fire
Offensive core centered around supporting a Zard-X sweep by using LO Starmie to remove SR and apply a great deal of offensive pressure on setters like Lando-T, Chomp, Tran, and Hippo (all of which can annoy Zard-X in one way or another). Given the highly offensive nature of this core, EQ is the final move of choice on Zard-X to eliminate common checks like Tran and Tar in one go and keep tempo on your side. This aside, Zard-X is also able to take advantage of Starmie's vulnerability to being trapped. For example, after something like a choice locked Tar traps Starmie, Zard-X can come in, DD up, and potentially sweep afterwards. Although Zard-X is able to threaten Pokemon like Ferro, I still decided to slash HP Fire on Starmie. This is because Starmie's main role above all is to remove rocks, and having HP Fire to threaten SR Ferro helps you accomplish this goal and aid Zard-X more. Simple and effective core overall.
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